Summary

  • Rain ends play: Warner 40*, Smith 25*

  • England deny ball-tampering claims

  • England 491 - first-innings lead of 164

  • Cook 244* - carries bat for first time

  • Cummins 4-117, Hazelwood 3-95

  • Day five will start at 23:00 GMT

Live Reporting

Matthew Henry and Jack Skelton

  1. It will be Tom Curran to complete the last four balls of his over that was interrupted by the rain.

    Here we go...

  2. Geoffrey Boycott
    Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

    England are in a good position. They are going to have to keep getting the odd one out here and there. I don't think there will be a clatter of wickets.

    Most batsmen should be able to bat on here.

  3. Here come England, followed by the umpires...

  4. David Warner and Steve Smith have their helmets back on and are waiting around by the boundary rope.

    We're about five minutes away from play...

  5. Good news! Play will restart at 03:30 GMT.

  6. Stephan Shemilt
    BBC Sport in Melbourne

    Covers coming off.

  7. Get Involved

    #bbccricket

  8. Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special commentator

    They have taken the big white central cover off. It does look a bit brighter.

  9. Stephan Shemilt
    BBC Sport in Melbourne

    The sky has brightened but the rain is heavier. One guy on the big screen tries to get the whole crowd chanting "rain, rain, go away, come again another day". He fails.

  10. Here's the weather forecast for the rest of today and tomorrow in Melbourne.

    We may have a few more interruptions.

    Weather in Melbourne
    Weather in Melbourne

  11. Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special commentator

    The rain is falling a little heavier now and they're bringing out more covers.

  12. Graeme Swann
    Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    It is a shame that the rain has arrived. England have been bowling well and have tied the Aussies down.

  13. So Australia still trail by 78 runs, with eight second-innings wickets in hand.

    A good effort by England's bowlers so far this session, tight lines and lengths.

    But not much beating the bat, with Warner and Smith very calm, looking to occupy the crease rather than score.

  14. rain stops play

    Rain stops play - Aus 86-2

    Trail by 78

    The umpires decide to give it another ball, which Smith just taps to cover for no run.

    And that's that - off the players come for rain.

    Just 16 runs scored in 50 minutes since lunch.

    EnglandPA

  15. Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special commentator

    It is actually raining a bit harder now.

  16. Aus 86-2

    A run! For Warner! He tucks off his pads for one.

    The rain is really coming down now. We may be off soon.

  17. Aus 85-2

    Woakes nagging away just outside off to Smith, who calmly moves across and defends all six.

    Another maiden. That's just 15 runs in 11 overs since lunch.

    Are Australia already batting for the draw?

  18. Stephan Shemilt
    BBC Sport in Melbourne

    Drizzle falling from the dark sky in Melbourne. The looming floodlights, numbered one to six clockwise, have been switched on. The rain that was forecast yesterday only arrived after the close. Today the clouds are moving, but they are threatening.

  19. Aus 85-2

    Curran drops short to Smith, who duly tucks off his pads for one.

    Better from Curran round the wicket tor Warner - the opener still can't force a run, miscuing a cut to a slower ball.

  20. How's stat?!

    Andrew Samson
    BBC Test Match Special statistician

    David Warner has faced more maidens today - nine - than in any other innings in his career.

    David WarnerGetty Images